UCD Research Building
UCD is committed to becoming a leading European research-intensive university and provider of graduate education.
The new UCD Research Building, a facility for research administration at the heart of the campus, symbolises UCD’s commitment to building a word-class research environment and the growing importance of research as part of the university’s strategic mission.
UCD Research Building
The concept for the UCD Research Building arose from the need to provide a central focus for the growing research activity in UCD. Among the immediate needs identified were the requirement for a central research space as an entry point to the university for visiting collaborators, funders, industry partners, political leaders and delegations from other universities, all coming to engage with research programmes and researchers in UCD.
Creating a space for research receptions and award ceremonies, providing high quality meeting rooms and bringing together research offices from around the university were also points that the design had to address. Key design principles included, forward looking design, energy efficient space and high levels of flexibility within the internal space.
The UCD Research building comprises the Office of the Vice-President for Research and the Office of the Innovation Academy.
Building Description
Designed by architects Robinson Keefe Devane, the recently completed 2-storey UCD Research Building is an extension to the original Tierney Building, first built in the early 1970s. The new building offers office, exhibition, project and meeting room facilities designed to support the research community.
The building’s striking colour is achieved through the use of patenated copper cladding, announcing the high profile presence of UCD Research beside the lake, while the building form and lines have been designed to complement the original Tierney Building.
The use of natural light throughout the building is particularly effective in the Reception area where glazed roof lights ensure a warm, bright and welcoming atmosphere for staff, students and visitors.
With provision for approximately 30 people, the use of flexible shared and open-plan offices and the inclusion of strategic link corridors to Tierney ensures optimum co-location for university administration functions.
The building has generally been designed to adopt a natural ventilation strategy whereby windows and grilles automatically open to enable the building to self-regulate its temperature.
Project Timeline
Construction of the new building commenced on-site in early 2006 and was completed in January 2007.
Contact
UCD Research
t: 01 7164000
e: ucdresearch@ucd.ie
